Carrier count hits 100

By Paul BestMay 28 2002
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At a few minutes past 11 last Wednesday morning, the Australian Communications Authority chairman Tony Shaw approved its 100th carrier licence since the deregulation of the telecommunications industry on July 1, 1997. The licence was granted to an Internet service provider, Alphalink.

Alphalink directors Grant Kinkead and Brett Murphy, who were on hand to receive their certificate, said the licence enabled them to establish their own last-mile wireless network, which they would use to provide fast Internet service to residential customers.

ACA licensing and infrastructure manager Warren Duncan said the 100th licence vindicated the decision to deregulate the industry.

He said Alphalink, based in the inner-Melbourne suburb of North Fitzroy, was typical of a growing number of niche players using new technology, particularly wireless infrastructure, to expand their operations.

"It shows that competition is very much alive and kicking when organisations like Alphalink can see strong market potential for their telecommunications services, and that they are also willing to commit funds to establish their own wireless network facilities . . . to boost their market share with innovative wireless technologies," Duncan said.");document.write("

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The 100th licence is the 23rd granted this financial year. The number of licences issued this financial year has slowed in the wake of the downturn in the telecoms sector and is likely to be down by financial year's end after a record 32 licences were granted in the previous 12-month period.

In the five years since deregulation, 11 licences have been surrendered.